Visitors flock to see rare bird

JAMESTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) – Bird watchers from across New England are flocking to the Ocean State after a rare bird made an appearance in Jamestown.

A Wood Sandpiper was spotted in the Marsh Meadows Wildlife Preserve, mingling with the Great Egret and the Cormorants which are both common to Rhode Island.  The Wood Sandpiper usually nests in Europe before heading to Africa for the winter. 

This is the first sighting of the Wood Sandpiper ever in Rhode Island and all of New England.  It also marks only the 7 ^th appearance for the bird in the continental United States.  Alaska sees the Wood Sandpiper frequently. 

A Wood Sandpiper is considered a "life bird" to bird watchers because it is so rare that avid watchers will likely never see another one in their lifetime.  One watcher in particular believes the bird will draw in visitors from around the country.

Many are asking how the bird arrived in such an odd place, thousands of miles from home, but more are wondering when it will leave. Most likely, the Wood Sandpiper will take flight when the weather gets colder.